Reports have indicated that Gakpo was previously considered one of Liverpool's most likely players to be sold, but with the start of the new season and sluggish progress in striker negotiations, his importance to the team has increased rapidly. Liverpool's position is now clear: they will not let Gakpo leave unless they sign two more strikers before the transfer window closes.

Liverpool's stance is unambiguous. Unless they secure two additional strikers within six days, Liverpool will not sell Gakpo to Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, or any other club. Liverpool held significant talks about Barcola on Tuesday, and Minteh is also on their shortlist. While such a deal is not entirely impossible, it will be extremely difficult to execute in the remaining time.

Without new signings, Liverpool cannot afford to further weaken their attack by letting Gakpo leave. Since returning from the World Cup, he has silenced doubters and scored in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United on Sunday.

Consider how depleted Liverpool would look without him in Saturday's match against Nottingham Forest. But before kickoff, how many Liverpool fans would have supported his departure?

Even those who didn't genuinely believe it at the time—if the transfer deadline had closed before this season began—wouldn't have been too disappointed, given that Gakpo's form last season was underwhelming.

When Liverpool lost momentum in the second half of the 2024-25 season, the striker was widely considered their most expendable forward for this summer. Certain aspects of his on-pitch performance faced particular criticism. Gakpo relied too heavily on one move—cutting inside and shooting—which often proved ineffective, and in doing so sometimes missed opportunities to use his left flank. Some believed his decline was irreversible, and when matches actually began, his departure seemed entirely reasonable.

But now he cannot be sold, because he is too important to the squad unless a series of signings are completed—especially with Hugo Ekitike sidelined by injury. Even if two more strikers arrive, many still believe Gakpo is vital given his versatility across multiple positions. As Ferguson repeatedly emphasized during his Manchester United days, there is no such thing as too many goalscorers in a squad, and Gakpo's 33 goals in 128 Premier League appearances is respectable for a left-winger.

If his strong form this summer hasn't been enough to prove his value, then reinforcing rival squads is certainly a factor as well. Although neither of the two clubs interested in him has officially contacted Liverpool, the situation could change, and with many deals still being negotiated in the final days of the transfer window, there remain many variables.

This summer has been quite chaotic. Manchester City lost Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, Chelsea signed two players born in 1998, Tottenham continues to invest heavily, and Aston Villa painfully watched their most successful squad in over 30 years gradually dismantle.

Closing the transfer window before the season begins doesn't solve all problems, but it could at least help Barcola and his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Mbappé—who is also a Liverpool target. Theoretically, they should have already been playing for their respective clubs by now.

As a result, both missed the UEFA Super Cup, the French Super Cup, and Ligue 1's opening match, with their futures uncertain. Both could be transferred and make up lost time, but the situation is genuinely messy. The same applies to Liverpool's frantic late-window dealings, at least until the next steps become clear.

Liverpool knew from March that Salah would leave, but a replacement on the right wing still hasn't arrived. In the opening Premier League match, two left-wingers appeared in that position consecutively—first Rio Ngumoha, then Víctor Muñoz. Both are talented, but better suited to the opposite flank.

Barcola also prefers the left wing, but if a transfer fee can be agreed, Minteh could address the shortage on the right flank. Truthfully, having too many left-wing options would make it easier to let Gakpo leave, but now is not the time. Not when he remains their biggest scoring threat, and not when other expensive signings have taken longer than expected to finalize.

Liverpool need stability in attack, and despite last season's issues, Gakpo can provide that.

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